The Burmese government welcomed troops of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) into the border guard force in a ceremony on Thursday in Myaing Gyi Nyu, the headquarters of the DKBA in Karen State, according to sources.

The ceremony was attended by several Burmese officials including Burmese Military Affairs Security Chief Lt-Gen Ye Myint, who is one of the regime’s chief negotiators responsible for persuading ethnic ceasefire militias to accept becoming border guard forces, Brig-Gen Zaw Min, the chairman of the Karen State Peace and Development Council, and Maj-Gen Thet Naing Win, the Southeast Regional Commander in Moulmein.

Gen Kyaw Than, the DKBA commander in chief and vice chairman, also attended the ceremony.

Witnesses said Burmese police cleared the road for a convoy of DKBA vehicles bringing hundreds of DKBA troops to Myaing Gyi Nyu on Wednesday for the ceremony.

Separate ceremonies will also take place this month in other DKBA-controlled areas including Pinekyon Township and Shwe Koko, headquarters of DKBA Special Battalion 999 led by Col Chit Thu, according to Karen sources.

Karen sources in Hpa-an, capital of Karen State also said that Brig-Gen Pah Nwee, the commander of DKBA Brigade 999, and his troops will be received at a ceremony on Friday.

“They [DKBA Brigade 999 troops] are practicing for Friday’s ceremony,” said a source in Hpa-an.

Sources have not confirmed when there will be a ceremony for Col Chit Thu and his troops from DKBA Special Battalion 999.

Meanwhile, observers predict DKBA forces will lose control of many of its strongholds where large business operate when the militia becomes a border guard force paid for and dominated by Burmese officials.

According to Burma’s 2008 Constitution, the border guard force will be part of the Burmese armed forces and will receive the same salary as Burmese army troops.

Saw Htee Moo, a well-informed source close to the DKBA said the Burmese regime will likely take over DKBA-controlled trade, leaving the DKBA poorer.

Several large businesses in Karen State along Thai-Burmese border such as logging, zinc and tin mining  and border trade through Myawaddy Towship are currently controlled by the DKBA.

This will change, according to Karen sources, who say trade in DKBA-controlled regions and border areas will come under the direct control of the Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry when the DKBA becomes a border guard force.

The DKBA split from its mother organization, the Karen National Union (KNU) and signed ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military government in 1995. It has six brigades with an estimated 6,000 armed fighters.

In early August, Burmese junta troops in Myawaddy Township seized the main border trade gate operated by DKBA Brigade 999 on the Thai-Burmese border. The Burmese troops put up a Burmese national flag and took down the DKBA flag, changing the name of the gate from Brigade 999 to Dawna Taung—the name of a well-known mountain in Karen State, according to sources close to DKBA.

“DKBA is now at the endgame. They will disappear,” said Maj Saw Hla Ngwe, joint secretary (1) of the KNU.